Filing appliance.



H HICK.

FILING APPLIANCE.

APPLICATION mzo mus 26.19H.

1,276,356. Patented Au 20, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1- awe/MM m: NORRIS PETERS 00.. puowllmm. wnnmumn. a c.

H. J. HICK.

FILING APPLIANCE.

APPLICATION FILED lUNE 26, 1911.

1,276,356; Patented Aug. 0, 1918.

9 3 HEETS-SHEET 2- m: NORRIS rnzns m4. mwmurum. wasumawn. n c.

H. J. HICK- FILING APPLIANCE.

APPLICATION FILED mums, 1911.

1 1,27 6,356. Patented Aug. 20,1918.

HARRY J. HICK, 0F ALLIANCE, OHIO, ASSIGNOB, BY MES1\TE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE MCCASKEY REGISTER COMPANY, (INCORPORATED IN 1914,) OF ALLIANCE, OHIO,

A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

FILING APPLIANCE.-

Specification of Letters Patent. P t t d 20 191 Application filed Jlne, 26, 1911. Serial No.635,354.

To all whom it may concern: 7 Be it known that I, HARRY J. HICK, a citi- Zen of the United States, residing at Alliance, in the county of Stark and State of Ohio, have invented certain new .and useful Improvements in and Relating to Filing Appliances, of which the following is a specification. p

This invention relates to filing appliances adapted for filing, holding and keeping papers or documents, enabling them to be re- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a filing appliance embodying my invention, the casing being shown in section.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the appliance, similar to Fig. 1, with some of the holders of one set in operated position.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation, a portion of one set of holders being broken away.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the wingable supporting members.

Figs. 5 and 6 are fragmentary sectional views illustrating details of construction.

In the drawings I 1 indicates a casing. It may beof any suitable or preferred construction. In the form of construction illustrated in the drawings, it comprises a bottom 1?, a back or rear wall 1", and sides 1, which may rise vertically at their rear 'portions to a height coincident with the top of the back 1'. A bar or plate 1 may connect the upper ends of-the sides 1 together. Being secured thereto and also secured along its rear edge to the top edge of the back 1 the said plate serves to strengthen the casing.

2, 3 indicate two sets or series of holders,

normally occupy a; horizontal position and swing toa vertical position.

Each holder 2 preferably comprises a back 2*, formed from sheet metal, a series of paper engaging and holding devices 2*, and strips 2, which space the backs-from each other, form pockets or side walls for the papers, and may also strengthen the backs from end to end. The holding devices 2 and the strips 2 may be arranged upon.

either or both faces of each holder.

2 indicates suitable connections between the holders 2 and permitting them to swing relative to each other from the normal position to the reclined position, and vice versa.

The series of holders 2 is preferably piv-- otally supported at its front end, 'a' pair of pivot blocks 4:, mounted on a support a being provided therefor and arranged in a plane above the set of holders 3, with the rear'holder of the'series resting against the back 1". The supports 4 serve as the pivot for the front holder 2 and arepreferably arranged to permit the ready removal of the entire set of holder 2, bodily, from the cas- 1 ing 1 for storage in a safe or vault.

As will be understood, when the set of holders 2-is supported at its front, and the front holder thereof or any succeeding holder is reclined, the connections 2 cause the lower edges of the remaining upright holders to move forwardly and may at the same time effect a bodily :upward movement of said remaining upright holders.

5 indicates suitable means for guiding the rearmost holder 2 during-the operation of any of the holders in that set, the dotted lines in Fig. 1 illustrating the guiding means in operative position. I

Each holder of the set of'holders 3 is preferably constructed similarly to the holders 2. The holders 3 are connected together at their inner ends by devices 3 which permit them to swing relative to each other from one position to another.

6 indicates a vertical wall, guide or abutment arranged approximately in the vertical plane with or slightly forward of the supports 4. This wall serves as a back or abutment for the holders 3 and also as a guide way to'permit-up and down movements of the upper end holder 3 during the operation of any of the holders from one position to another, as will be later described.

. either side of the table.

7 indicates as an entirety mechanism which movably supports the setof holders 3. This mechanism may comprise one or more pairs of links 7, each link being pivotally connected to one end, for instance at their upper ends, at 7 to the adjacent side 1 of the casing and at its opposite end to the lowermost holder 3 of the set of holders.

As shown in the drawings, the links 7 depend downwardly from their pivots 7 the weight of the holders 3 causing them to hang vertically when all the holders are in normal position. When endwise movement of the holders 3 away from the abutment 6 takes place, the links will swing outwardly and upwardly and thus elevate the holders and when the holders 3 move endwise in the opposite direction the links swing downwardly and inwardly. As all the links move together about their respective pivots, those holders 3, not operated will remain in a horizontal position during their swinging movements in endwise directions. The links are preferably of equal length and arranged on opposite sides of the holders, one pair of links being arranged near or adjacent the inner or pivoted ends of the holders 3, and the other pair being arranged near or adjacent the outer or free ends thereof.

7 indicates a bar connecting each set of links together whereby they are made to swing together and thus obviate binding in their bearings, The links 7 and bars '7 may be formed integrally from a strip of metal which is bent into substantially U- shape, as shown in Fig. 4E, thus forming a rocking or swing frame on which the holders rest. I

8 indicates a horizontal table for the holders 3 interposed between the lowermost holder of the set and the bars 7 The table 8 serves as a rest for the holders 3 and permits them to be removably mounted on or connected to the swinging mechanism 7. The detachable connections between the table and lowermost holder 3 may comprise a flange 8 along the rear edge of the table and a turned over edge 8 extending along its front edge. When the holders are mounted on the table 8, the free edge of the lowermost holder is first inserted within or below the turned-over edge 8 and then its inner end is dropped down within the flange 8. This latter flange thus serves to hold the front or free edge of the holder under the flange or edge 8 which in turn prevents the removal of the holders, without first elevating the inner ends thereof to bring the lowermost holder above the flangev 8 8 indicates a flange extending along These flanges may be provided in order to prevent the holders from moving laterally on said table.

8 indicates a plurality of hinge devices,

such as metal straps 8 fixed to the under side of the table and each passing through a slot or opening 7 formed in the connecting cross bars 7 These hinge devices serve to form, through the bars 7 pivotal connections between the table 8 and links 7 As shown in Fig. 1, the holders 3, when in normal position, are superposed relative to each with their inner or hinged ends against or parallel to the wall 6. A slide member, such as an anti-friction roller or wheel 3", is preferably interposed between the upper end holder and wall 6, which holds the in ner ends of the holders slightly separated from the wall. i

9 indicates a frame which is pivotally connected along its inner or rear edge to some stationary part of the casing 1, whereby it can be arranged in a horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 1, or moved to a vertical position as shown in Fig. 2. The frame preferably lies in the plane of and is hinged to the forward edge of the support a The latter may be cut away to form a ledge 49 and the opposite inner faces of the sides 1 may be formed with shoulders 1 to support the opposite and side and rear edges of the frame 9 when it is in horizontal position.

The frame 9 is common to both sets or holders 2, 3, and operates as a rest or sup port for the free ends of the holders of either set which may have been operated at any time. When the holders of both sets are in normal position, the frame 9 may serve as a desk or writing board. It may also carry on its upper face an index or list of the headings, titles or signaling means for the paper holding devices 2 carried by the set of holders 2 and also a separate index or list on its under face for the paper engaging devices 2 carried by the set of holders 3.

Prior to the operation of the holders 3, the frame 9 is swung to the position shown in Fig. 2 with its upper edge resting against the set of holders 2. As the frame 9 is preferably pivoted slightly forward of the blocks 4, it will, remain in upright position, although other means may be provided for holding it in that position.

By the operation of one or more holders 3 from the horizontal to the vertical position, the connections 3 between the holders effect an outward or endwise movement of those holders 3 remainin in horizontal position and the table 8, an at the same time those holders which have been operated to the vertical position will miive downwardly. This outward movement away from the wall 6 and the downward movement of the operated holders will be in proportion to the number of holders operated at any one time.

The table 8 being connected to and supported on the swinging mechanism 7, the latter will permit the table and holders to move outwardly during the operation theregroups back to the horizontal position will effect a downward and rearward movement of the swingable supporting mechanism 7 to its lowermost or normal position.

3" indicates an anti-friction device carried by the upper end holder 3 and serving to avoid friction between the frame 9 and the said holder (see Fig, 2) in its up and down movements during the operation of the remaining holders.

The frame 9 and wall 6 are preferably.

arranged approximately in line with each other so that the operated holders 3 will be supported in a substantially vertical position.

In the operation of the holders 3, the opposite end holders of the set always remain at substantially right angles to each other as any of the holders between them are operated about their respective pivots, the holders not operated being supported in horlzontal position during their outward and upward movement. It will thus be seen that as the holders 3 are operated, the opposite end holders have a simultaneous movement, one moving downwardly and the other upwardly.'

The movable supporting mechanism for.

the holders 3 not only permits the outward movement of the unoperated holders in a direction substantially at right angles to the direction of movement of those holders which have already been operated, but oper= ates to elevate the unoperated holders and move them toward the operator, this latter operation continuing until all the holders (except the lower end one) are operated.

To those skilled in the art of making filing appliances of the class described, many alterations in construction and widely differing embodlments and applications of my invention will suggest themselves, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. My disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative, and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

What I claim is v 1. In a filing appliance, the combination of a casing having an upright abutment therein, a series of holders normally arranged in reclined position and having connections between them whereby they may be rotated to and from an upright position, pairs of parallel links having their upper ends pivoted to the case, and a table pivoted to the lower ends of the'links bodily supporting the holders, the upper holder being adapted for sliding contact with the abutment and the lower holder being removably mounted on the table for swinging the same forward when one or more holders are rotated fro-m reclined to upright position.

2. In a filing appliance, the combination of a casing, a series of holders normally ar-- ranged in horizontal position and having connections between them whereby they may swing relative to each other to a vertical'po sition, the upper end holder of the set being adapted for sliding engagement with the casing when in operative-position and link mechanism for swingably supporting the said holders, the said mechanism including a horizontal table carried by a pair of U- shapeinembers pivoted at their upper. ends to the casing and operating, when any of the holders are operated about their respective pivots, to swing the remaining horizonper end holder of the series of holders being adapted for sliding engagement with said guide wall when in operative position and the sets of links operating to maintain the unoperated holders in horizontal position as said links swing about their pivots. V

4. In a filing appliance, the combination of a casing, a series of holders normally arranged in horizontal position in said casing and having connections between them permitting the said holders to swing relative to each other, apair of U-shaped members ar-" ranged transversely of the holders at or near their outer and inner ends, respectively, means for swingably supporting said U- shaped members in the casing at their opposite ends, and an abutting wall arranged, to be slidably engaged by the upper end holder of the series, a horizontal table carried by the pendent ends of said links forming a support for said holders, whereby when any of the holders are operated about their respective pivots the U-shaped members swing outwardly and upwardly. V

5; In a filing appliance, the combination of a casing, a series of holders normally arranged in horizontal position in said casing and having connections between them permitting the said holders to swing relative to each other, a pair of U-shaped members shaped members in the casing at their opposite ends, an abutting wall arranged to be slidably engaged by the upper end holder of the series, a horizontal table carried by the pendent ends of said links forming a support for said holders, and pivotal connections between the lower end holder and the U-shaped members operating to move the saidmembers simultaneously whereby the operation of the holders about their respective leaves will swing the U-shaped members outwardly and upwardly and maintain the holders remaining in normal position horizontal during such movement.

6. In a filing appliance, the combination of a casing having an upright abutment therein, a series of holders normally arranged in reclined position and having connections between them whereby they may be upward when one or more holders are ro- V tated from reclined to upright position,

whereby the weight of the holders tends to swing the table rearward to normal position.

In testimony whereof I aliiX my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

HARRY J. HICK. Witnesses J. J. BROWN, ORA MOLEAN.

fiopies of this patentmay be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, 13.6, o 

